By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The inaugural Rum Festival, which was established through a Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod ordinance passed last May, will also include Sabor Bisaya, a local food exhibit and culinary competition.
According to Tanduay Chief Marketing Officer Paul Lim, “One of the things that are known most is the Filipino’s skill for creating fantastic dishes, with Negros Occidental having some of the most amazing dishes.”
Sabor Bisaya also serves as a venue for hoteliers, restaurant owners, caterers, bakers, food processors, entrepreneurs, and academic to learn about the latest trends and techniques, as well as network and interact with top chefs and players in the industry.
The festival is scheduled to run from August 17 to 24.
The ordinance, which was authored by then-Bacolod City Councilor Em Ang, was drawn up in recognition of Tanduay overtaking Bacardi as last year’s best-selling rum brand.
According to the publication Spirits Business, which organizes the annual Brand Champions Report, the Philippine distillery saw a 17.5 percent jump in sales last year.
Despite the landmark sales record, the publication named Captain Morgan the “Rum Brand Champion” for 2018, crediting the label for its wide global distribution and marketing strategy.
The event demands a P500,000 budget and will also include activities such as a “Rum-Run,” Zumba, concerts, rum-infused cooking competition, a “Rum Awareness” seminar, among others.
Tanduay originated from a distillery in Hagonoy, Bulacan./DGB, WDJ